World Notes HUNGARY

While others in the East bloc have been talking about democratization, Hungary has been doing it. Last week, with the blessing of Communist Party leader Karoly Grosz, the parliament passed new laws giving Hungarians the right to form independent political parties and participate in public demonstrations. The legislature also agreed to enact a further measure needed to enfranchise the parties by Aug. 1, giving them ample time to prepare for next year's legislative elections.

In the seven months since Grosz succeeded the long-ruling Janos Kadar as head of Hungary's Communist Party, dozens of independent political associations have begun organizing. Though there is no legal provision for such parties, the reform-minded Grosz regime has not challenged them. Communist regimes have not been known for power sharing, and skeptics wonder if a true multiparty system will emerge. But Karoly Ravasz, spokesman for the | Independent Smallholders party, was convinced that the change was genuine. Said he: "We are now on the road of a pluralist society."